The '''original (or "first") sin''' was committed by [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] (see [[Book of Genesis]] Chapter 3). [[Orthodoxy]] believes that, while everyone bears the consequences of the first sin, the foremost of which is physical death (in this world), ''only'' Adam and Eve are guilty of that sin (see [[Book of Ezekiel]] Chapter 18).

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The term '''Original (or "first") Sin''' is used mainly in the Western Church and it defines the doctrine that the "first" sin was committed by [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] (see [[Book of Genesis]] Chapter 3) and that while everyone bears the consequences of the first sin, the foremost of which is physical death (in this world), ''only'' Adam and Eve are guilty of that sin (see [[Book of Ezekiel]] Chapter 18). The origins of this teaching lend themselves to [[Augustine of Hippo]] who based it on Romans 5:12. In the [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox church]] the term '''[[Ancestral Sin]]''' (Gr. προπατορικό αμάρτημα) is used to define the doctrine of man's "inclanation towards sin, a heritage from the sin of our progenitors" and that this is removed through [[baptism]].

In contrast to Jewish exegesis of Genesis, Christianity has a Christological reading. We understand the depth of the Fall in the light of redemption. It is in the contrast of the old and new Adams that we understand what the significance of original sin has been.

In contrast to Jewish exegesis of Genesis, Christianity has a Christological reading. We understand the depth of the Fall in the light of redemption. It is in the contrast of the old and new Adams that we understand what the significance of original sin has been.

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Contents

Orthodox Interpretations

The term Original (or "first") Sin is used mainly in the Western Church and it defines the doctrine that the "first" sin was committed by Adam and Eve (see Book of Genesis Chapter 3) and that while everyone bears the consequences of the first sin, the foremost of which is physical death (in this world), only Adam and Eve are guilty of that sin (see Book of Ezekiel Chapter 18). The origins of this teaching lend themselves to Augustine of Hippo who based it on Romans 5:12. In the Orthodox church the term Ancestral Sin (Gr. προπατορικό αμάρτημα) is used to define the doctrine of man's "inclanation towards sin, a heritage from the sin of our progenitors" and that this is removed through baptism.

In contrast to Jewish exegesis of Genesis, Christianity has a Christological reading. We understand the depth of the Fall in the light of redemption. It is in the contrast of the old and new Adams that we understand what the significance of original sin has been.

Mortality is certainly a result of the Fall, but along with this also what is termed "concupiscence" in Augustine's writings -- this is the "evil impulse" of Judaism, and in Orthodoxy, we might say this is our "disordered passion" -- it isn't only that we are born in death, or in a state of distance from God, but also that we are born with disordered passion within us.

Orthodoxy would not describe the human state as one of "total depravity" (see Cyril Lucaris however). One writer has said that "if Latin babies are born blind, and Pelagian babies are born with 20/20 vision, then Greek babies are born in need of spectacles" (ref?).

Roman Catholicism teaches that everyone bears not only the consequence, but also the guilt, of that sin. This difference between the two Churches in their understanding of the original sin was one of the doctrinal reasons that led the Catholic Church to devise their dogma of the 'Immaculate Conception' in the 19th century, a dogma that is completely rejected by the Orthodox Church.</strike>(If this is historic RC teaching, it needs to be documented -- quotes from Romanides are not sufficient here. Certainly it is not the teaching today, see the CCC. Modern Orthodox polemics can be traced back to Fr. John Meyendorff (?)... earlier explanations tended to have a scholastic tone, both in Russia and in Greece)

For decades, at least, Orthodox teaching has often been contrasted to traditional Roman Catholic teaching on original sin.

Modern Roman Catholic teaching is best explicated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which includes this sentence: ""original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam's descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted" (§405).

The Roman Catholic Church has defined its teaching of original sin in multiple councils. The first of these was a Council of Orange in 529, which expanded upon the teachings of Augustine of Hippo, whose interpretation of "all dying in Adam"